Enough negativity, let's share the positives!! - Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) General

I'm sad for those who are thinking of buying this tablet or those who just recently have and read all the negative things about this amazing tablet. Let's all share the things you love most about this awesome device.
I for one haven't had nearly as many issues as some have posted on xda or here. I think most are too picky or just don't know how to use it.
I love my tablet because it has one of the best screens available, it's snappy, I haven't experience lag with the right settings. I love the spen features, the size is perfect, the over all build is good to me.
With everything this device has to offer and how customizable it can be and even more so if you root or find the right apps the options are almost endless.
I look forward to reading what you all love most about your experience. Let's let's those on the edge about buying or keeping the Note 10.1 2014 edition know its a great buy worth the money!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

The S Pen is a god. I haven't used a piece of paper at work since August 2012. I am entirely digital with my notes and diagrams. This is something that just seemed impossible before the S Pen hit the tablet scene regardless of how much I wanted to get away from paper. That combination of a light portable 10" 16:10 Note tablet series with the S Pen is nearly unbeatable at the moment. It is the sweet spot for me.
How's that for positive?

My point being is with out knowledge of what your options are your going to be dissatisfied. Read up before complaining or ask us
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Stocklone said:
The S Pen is a god. I haven't used a piece of paper at work since August 2012. I am entirely digital with my notes and diagrams. This is something that just seemed impossible before the S Pen hit the tablet scene regardless of how much I wanted to get away from paper. That combination of a light portable 10" 16:10 Note tablet series with the S Pen is nearly unbeatable at the moment. It is the sweet spot for me.
How's that for positive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stocklone:
Care to shed any light on your workflow. I'm interested in what apps you use to take your notes, how you archive them, how you search for info at a later date, are they in a format where you can access them across platforms (PC, etc).
I've been wanting to go completely digital with my notes but still haven't been able to come up with a truly workable system.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

ElectronKing said:
Stocklone:
Care to shed any light on your workflow. I'm interested in what apps you use to take your notes, how you archive them, how you search for info at a later date, are they in a format where you can access them across platforms (PC, etc).
I've been wanting to go completely digital with my notes but still haven't been able to come up with a truly workable system.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do everything through Lecture Notes currently. I used to do everything through Quill but I found Lecture Notes to be perfect for note taking since it allows for folders as well as notebooks. So I can jump very quickly to the notes I need for the current project I'm working on where everything is organized at the location I'm working at for a given project and the year and month if it was something very regular like weekly team meetings. That structure is good enough for me for retrieving whatever I'm looking for. I know Quill has tags if you want to filter individual pages in a given book but the GUI is incredibly slow once you have a lot of notebooks.
My folder hierarchy is typically Location\Building\Project\(Year\Month) for Lecture Notes. That allows me to split things up enough that I'm okay with combing through my notes from that point out. I do date each entry in my notes than highlight it in yellow so I can quickly find notes for a given day. I'm pretty sure LN offers some kind of tagging system if you wanted to make things searchable.
With Quill I backed up old notes to PDF and made a copy on my microSD and my notebook. I actually haven't archived anything yet with Lecture Notes but I know it can export to PDF so I will probably do that. Quill actually offers syncing notes between devices but I never used it. Quill also had automatic backing up to the microSD card.
I don't ever really access my notes on a PC. Due to computer restrictions where I work, my tablet pretty much has to remain an island unto its self while I am at work. If I wanted to make them accessible I would probably sync the PDF files with Dropbox I imagine.
I think Quill has the prettiest writing but Lecture Notes once you set it up is far more functional.
My system would probably fall apart if I wasn't working in an environment of multiple unrelated ever changing projects. If I only worked one project as my entire job, tagging pages would probably be much more important.
For future reference, a setup where you really don't have to think about anything for syncing between devices and backing up, OneNote with Office 2013 on a Surface Pro 2 is probably as simple as you are going to get. That's what my wife uses.
---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------
RussellEstridge25 said:
My point being is with out knowledge of what your options are your going to be dissatisfied. Read up before complaining or ask us
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally hate this tablet without root. Once I had root, this tablet became an absolute joy to use. I think rooting would be the best advice I could give to a new user that might be frustrated with their Note. Then nearly anything that pisses you off can be fixed in way or another.
Finding the right 3rd party apps is also crucial. I think that if you assume what Samsung provides is the end all of what works with the S Pen, you are really limiting yourself. Once you start branching out you see all the possibilities of the S Pen you can have a much better idea of how useful it is. Also, many times you have to turn on S Pen support for an app such as drawing and note taking apps. Until then it treats the pen like a finger. And sometimes some random 3rd party app may actually do something better than all the big companies with similar apps. Research seriously pays off with this tablet.
A not so super obvious benefit of the S Pen is gaming. I don't know how anybody plays R-Type with their finger when you have all those little enemies flying around the screen from every angle. The S Pen is a huge advantage there. Even casual games like Fruit Ninja, I can play way better with an S Pen because of the higher accuracy and less obstructed vision.

Stocklone said:
I do everything through Lecture Notes currently. I used to do everything through Quill but I found Lecture Notes to be perfect for note taking since it allows for folders as well as notebooks. So I can jump very quickly to the notes I need for the current project I'm working on where everything is organized at the location I'm working at for a given project and the year and month if it was something very regular like weekly team meetings. That structure is good enough for me for retrieving whatever I'm looking for. I know Quill has tags if you want to filter individual pages in a given book but the GUI is incredibly slow once you have a lot of notebooks.
My folder hierarchy is typically Location\Building\Project\(Year\Month) for Lecture Notes. That allows me to split things up enough that I'm okay with combing through my notes from that point out. I do date each entry in my notes than highlight it in yellow so I can quickly find notes for a given day. I'm pretty sure LN offers some kind of tagging system if you wanted to make things searchable.
With Quill I backed up old notes to PDF and made a copy on my microSD and my notebook. I actually haven't archived anything yet with Lecture Notes but I know it can export to PDF so I will probably do that. Quill actually offers syncing notes between devices but I never used it. Quill also had automatic backing up to the microSD card.
I don't ever really access my notes on a PC. Due to computer restrictions where I work, my tablet pretty much has to remain an island unto its self while I am at work. If I wanted to make them accessible I would probably sync the PDF files with Dropbox I imagine.
I think Quill has the prettiest writing but Lecture Notes once you set it up is far more functional.
My system would probably fall apart if I wasn't working in an environment of multiple unrelated ever changing projects. If I only worked one project as my entire job, tagging pages would probably be much more important.
For future reference, a setup where you really don't have to think about anything for syncing between devices and backing up, OneNote with Office 2013 on a Surface Pro 2 is probably as simple as you are going to get. That's what my wife uses.
---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------
I personally hate this tablet without root. Once I had root, this tablet became an absolute joy to use. I think rooting would be the best advice I could give to a new user that might be frustrated with their Note. Then nearly anything that pisses you off can be fixed in way or another.
Finding the right 3rd party apps is also crucial. I think that if you assume what Samsung provides is the end all of what works with the S Pen, you are really limiting yourself. Once you start branching out you see all the possibilities of the S Pen you can have a much better idea of how useful it is. Also, many times you have to turn on S Pen support for an app such as drawing and note taking apps. Until then it treats the pen like a finger. And sometimes some random 3rd party app may actually do something better than all the big companies with similar apps. Research seriously pays off with this tablet.
A not so super obvious benefit of the S Pen is gaming. I don't know how anybody plays R-Type with their finger when you have all those little enemies flying around the screen from every angle. The S Pen is a huge advantage there. Even casual games like Fruit Ninja, I can play way better with an S Pen because of the higher accuracy and less obstructed vision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the input. Care to share what apps you downloaded for the spen and how you turned on spen instead of having it act as a finger? Very interesting.

Great point about using the pen for gaming!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

Stocklone said:
I do everything through Lecture Notes currently. I used to do everything through Quill but I found Lecture Notes to be perfect for note taking since it allows for folders as well as notebooks. So I can jump very quickly to the notes I need for the current project I'm working on where everything is organized at the location I'm working at for a given project and the year and month if it was something very regular like weekly team meetings. That structure is good enough for me for retrieving whatever I'm looking for. I know Quill has tags if you want to filter individual pages in a given book but the GUI is incredibly slow once you have a lot of notebooks.
My folder hierarchy is typically Location\Building\Project\(Year\Month) for Lecture Notes. That allows me to split things up enough that I'm okay with combing through my notes from that point out. I do date each entry in my notes than highlight it in yellow so I can quickly find notes for a given day. I'm pretty sure LN offers some kind of tagging system if you wanted to make things searchable.
With Quill I backed up old notes to PDF and made a copy on my microSD and my notebook. I actually haven't archived anything yet with Lecture Notes but I know it can export to PDF so I will probably do that. Quill actually offers syncing notes between devices but I never used it. Quill also had automatic backing up to the microSD card.
I don't ever really access my notes on a PC. Due to computer restrictions where I work, my tablet pretty much has to remain an island unto its self while I am at work. If I wanted to make them accessible I would probably sync the PDF files with Dropbox I imagine.
I think Quill has the prettiest writing but Lecture Notes once you set it up is far more functional.
My system would probably fall apart if I wasn't working in an environment of multiple unrelated ever changing projects. If I only worked one project as my entire job, tagging pages would probably be much more important.
For future reference, a setup where you really don't have to think about anything for syncing between devices and backing up, OneNote with Office 2013 on a Surface Pro 2 is probably as simple as you are going to get. That's what my wife uses.
---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------
I personally hate this tablet without root. Once I had root, this tablet became an absolute joy to use. I think rooting would be the best advice I could give to a new user that might be frustrated with their Note. Then nearly anything that pisses you off can be fixed in way or another.
Finding the right 3rd party apps is also crucial. I think that if you assume what Samsung provides is the end all of what works with the S Pen, you are really limiting yourself. Once you start branching out you see all the possibilities of the S Pen you can have a much better idea of how useful it is. Also, many times you have to turn on S Pen support for an app such as drawing and note taking apps. Until then it treats the pen like a finger. And sometimes some random 3rd party app may actually do something better than all the big companies with similar apps. Research seriously pays off with this tablet.
A not so super obvious benefit of the S Pen is gaming. I don't know how anybody plays R-Type with their finger when you have all those little enemies flying around the screen from every angle. The S Pen is a huge advantage there. Even casual games like Fruit Ninja, I can play way better with an S Pen because of the higher accuracy and less obstructed vision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also use Lecture Notes for work. Besides the notebooks and folders, you can use the index page function to easily find a particular part of a notebook later. I typically index more important meetings within a project notebook to easily reference later. For me this has worked so much better than the many separate paper project notebooks I used to have. I often remember a reference mentioned in a meeting but not the exact value. With my old paper system i would rarely find it. With the indexing in Lecture Notes, it's no trouble at all.
I prefer the Note 8 at work, because the size makes it easier to keep with me all the time. So far I use the Note 10 at home only, but I do backup my Note 8 notes to Dropbox and sync them to my Note 10 with Dropsync so I can pick up the bigger tablet if I ever needed to with all my notes in it already. I used to take notes on an Ipad. The Spen+Lecture Notes combination is a million times better.
I also use the widget or shortcut function of Lecture Notes to place 3 shortcuts on my main screen;
The main notebook of the project I work on for quick access, a notebook I call "to do list", and a blank new notebook in case of an unexpected new topic which I can later rename and organize as needed. All other notebooks and folders I access the normal way. But these shortcuts make it easy to jump between my most used notebooks, and I'm always ready for new topics with an empty notebook.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app

l haven't rooted yet. What are the 3rd party apps you use after root. Also how hard is it to Unroot, say when an update Comes out.
l'm just curious how others use their tablets. I use S note. I have purchased lecture notes, but I haunt figured out how to set it up to a way I'm satisfied with. So what are some advantages to rooting?

jherring002 said:
l haven't rooted yet. What are the 3rd party apps you use after root. Also how hard is it to Unroot, say when an update Comes out.
l'm just curious how others use their tablets. I use S note. I have purchased lecture notes, but I haunt figured out how to set it up to a way I'm satisfied with. So what are some advantages to rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
turn on the filter (sativ something filter, can't quite remember. I use it at 7), that is the key to a good writing. Lecturenotes is good, but complicated.

jherring002 said:
l haven't rooted yet. What are the 3rd party apps you use after root. Also how hard is it to Unroot, say when an update Comes out.
l'm just curious how others use their tablets. I use S note. I have purchased lecture notes, but I haunt figured out how to set it up to a way I'm satisfied with. So what are some advantages to rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ad away='s no more ads. Titanium back up to get rid of bloat ware or freeze apps. Wanam xposed apps to change the framework and completely customize it. Custom recovery to be able to back up and restore. I just use kies or Odin to manually update. Works perfectly.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I also have the Note 8 & 10.1. The Note 8 is my main tablet, especially for work, due to its size. The Note 10.1 is mainly used for inventory, the larger screen.
Via my Note 3

S-Pen is a great tool. I use it frequently in almost everything (except games). Also there is plenty of useful applications that is specific to Samsung like S-Note, Ez-pdf reader, Moon reader, Office suite Pro, Digital Calculator (I don`t remember the exact name) and a lot of apps. Another feature which is useful to me which is Multi window apps (requires a rooted device).
But there is performance difference between LTE and 3G devices due to processor difference.
But finally I`m happy with this tablet.

Since I have gotten my Note 10.1, I rarely now use my Nexus 7 2013. I like the screen real estate and as crazy as it sounds, I like the TWZ apps (calendar, S Note, to name a few). I take sermon notes while in church and compared to my iPad 3, it's a gem. I use OfficeSuite 7 with the keyboard to keep up, but for everything else, normal speed writing, I use the S Pen. It's the biggest reason I got the tablet to start with. I played with the Tab Pro 10.1 in BB this weekend and it flies with KK, but I need my S-Pen, so hopefully we get KK soon.

Turn Off Wifi During Sleep -> Better Battery than iPad
Hi,
For those who complains about battery life sucks, here is one tip: turn off wifi during sleep.
I just went to the Settings -> Connection -> Wifi and enable that. Now my tablet battery is a lot longer than my iPad 2.
Not that I use my Note 10.1 for game or any CPU hungry tasks.

Positives of this tablets...
I love it!
Best for remote services like Splashtop. This tab had saved my butt many days at work where my laptop cannot handle certain files. I would use my powerful desktop at home to pull through the loading, then work from there.
This is also a really light weight tablet. Easily one of the more comfortable ones to use, thought it could be a little more balanced like the tablet Z from Sony.
It is impressive in a business scenario. When I use it to show or modify data with the S Pen, I get many Ooouu and Ahhh from older folks. It is a great thing, if you do any of that sort of business. These impressions stick to people, especially if it's their first time seeing a Note product.
Im also in love with how familiar it is to many people. This is debatable, but my family members, friends, and sometimes strangers could pick this tab up, and know how to use it right off the bat. (especially people with samsung phones) Something Android tabs are lacking just a few years ago. Nowadays, the Nexus 7 is the only other friendly tablet I could think of, though it lacks many many out of the box features like the Note.

mmmmm positive things
glad to have s-pen....
high resolution, maybe not for video but for drawing it fits
what else?... ok let's see... with this device you:
can download torrents with aTorrent...
can edit pictures with Adobe PS Touch...
can draw with Autodesk Sketchbook
can take notes with Lecture Notes (even record video)
can draw vectors with Infinite Design
can make animations with Animation Studio or FlipaClap (i really like the last one)
can add effects to pictures with Handy Photo, SnapSeed, Pixlr Express or Repix
can view Full HD videos with MX Player (they look really small with this screen resolution)
can edit PDF files with PDF Max
can scan documents to PDF with CamScanner
can edit office documents with Kingsoft Office or OfficeSuite
can create diagrams with TouchDraw
can switch from one app to another with Switchr
can decompress or compress files with ZArchiver
can edit videos or adding effects with VideoPad
can create isometric pixel art with IsoPix
can view Flash videos with internet browser
can create pixel like 3d images with Fumotrim
can share video or audio content and sync with TV
can connect to remote desktop with RD Client, SplashTop ot Team Viewer
can control tv through wifi with Unified Remote Control
can transfer content with SuperBeam or WifiDirect
can connect to TV with MHL adapter
can use multiwindow feature (with root you can run 4 "popup window" apps)
even better, you can encode video but believe me, i will take forever and you will burn your note...
and many things i can't remember right now...

fantasmanegro said:
mmmmm positive things
glad to have s-pen....
high resolution, maybe not for video but for drawing it fits
what else?... ok let's see... with this device you:
can download torrents with aTorrent...
can edit pictures with Adobe PS Touch...
can draw with Autodesk Sketchbook
can take notes with Lecture Notes (even record video)
can draw vectors with Infinite Design
can make animations with Animation Studio or FlipaClap (i really like the last one)
can add effects to pictures with Handy Photo, SnapSeed, Pixlr Express or Repix
can view Full HD videos with MX Player (they look really small with this screen resolution)
can edit PDF files with PDF Max
can scan documents to PDF with CamScanner
can edit office documents with Kingsoft Office or OfficeSuite
can create diagrams with TouchDraw
can switch from one app to another with Switchr
can decompress or compress files with ZArchiver
can edit videos or adding effects with VideoPad
can create isometric pixel art with IsoPix
can view Flash videos with internet browser
can create pixel like 3d images with Fumotrim
can share video or audio content and sync with TV
can connect to remote desktop with RD Client, SplashTop ot Team Viewer
can control tv through wifi with Unified Remote Control
can transfer content with SuperBeam or WifiDirect
can connect to TV with MHL adapter
can use multiwindow feature (with root you can run 4 "popup window" apps)
even better, you can encode video but believe me, i will take forever and you will burn your note...
and many things i can't remember right now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....and now hancom office!!!!!!!!! ))))
Inviato dal mio SM-P905 utilizzando Tapatalk

fantasmanegro said:
mmmmm positive things
glad to have s-pen....
high resolution, maybe not for video but for drawing it fits
what else?... ok let's see... with this device you:
can download torrents with aTorrent...
can edit pictures with Adobe PS Touch...
can draw with Autodesk Sketchbook
can take notes with Lecture Notes (even record video)
can draw vectors with Infinite Design
can make animations with Animation Studio or FlipaClap (i really like the last one)
can add effects to pictures with Handy Photo, SnapSeed, Pixlr Express or Repix
can view Full HD videos with MX Player (they look really small with this screen resolution)
can edit PDF files with PDF Max
can scan documents to PDF with CamScanner
can edit office documents with Kingsoft Office or OfficeSuite
can create diagrams with TouchDraw
can switch from one app to another with Switchr
can decompress or compress files with ZArchiver
can edit videos or adding effects with VideoPad
can create isometric pixel art with IsoPix
can view Flash videos with internet browser
can create pixel like 3d images with Fumotrim
can share video or audio content and sync with TV
can connect to remote desktop with RD Client, SplashTop ot Team Viewer
can control tv through wifi with Unified Remote Control
can transfer content with SuperBeam or WifiDirect
can connect to TV with MHL adapter
can use multiwindow feature (with root you can run 4 "popup window" apps)
even better, you can encode video but believe me, i will take forever and you will burn your note...
and many things i can't remember right now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any full hd video should scale to the screen very well I have no idea why they would look small.....but yes to all of the above
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I love this tablet too
RussellEstridge25 said:
I'm sad for those who are thinking of buying this tablet or those who just recently have and read all the negative things about this amazing tablet. Let's all share the things you love most about this awesome device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will never win this war against the doomsayer. They will find always something to blame this great tablet.
RussellEstridge25 said:
I for one haven't had nearly as many issues as some have posted on xda or here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for me. And you can came with the argument and the doomsayer still exists that their problem is a general problem of the tablet.
RussellEstridge25 said:
I love my tablet because [...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
RussellEstridge25 said:
I look forward to reading what you all love most about your experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything. Not only it replace my other (older) tablets but also my gsm for my daily use. I use my HTC One (so you see how high the level staff is) now only for phone calls and text messaging. All the rest I do now with my Note.
So, what I love? Touchwiz *g* Yes, I love it. And if we got the Magazine UX and other changes from the Pro, I will love it more. Because Samsung made a tablet interface out of it. Google has here still to learn that tablets are not bigger phones.
I also love the default apps from Samsung. They have many add-ons which the replacements are still missing. So, I use the default browser, the default launcher and so on.
What I do at the end with this great tablet:
- internet surfing
- social virtual life (facebook, twitter, linkedIn, Google+, Skype...)
- drawing and painting (and I didn't switch any longer to my desktop to finish it)
- taking notes
- prepare shopping
- listen music
- watch full HD films (on the Note or from the intranet or internet)
- software development
- remove to desktop pc (for small tasks)
- project films, photos to TV
- reading books
- reading comics
- use this forum

Related

Note 10.1 good for college student?

I am planning on getting a tablet for college and was hoping to see if the note was good for viewing pdfs on? I had the Asus Vivo Tab and it was just awful for pdfs so I returned it. Does pdf run smoothly on it? Also I was wondering how customizable it is? I'd like to download more apps then what is available on the microsoft market. Is it a good tablet overall?
This tablet would be perfect for a student. It gives you the ability to write using a pen, record voice notes and view pdf files easily. You are also able to modify and annotate the pdf files on your tab....
Agreed
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
The note is by far far far the best tablet for a student
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
This is by far the best, most thoughtfully put out product I have ever used. As a student, I can't imagine going to school without one of these now.
Good to hear, I purchased one earlier for that purpose earlier and it's currently charging.
The tablet is very customizable, just check out the available ROMs for it.
For PDFs, you can use Adobe Reader. You can annotate and even write on them.
For taking notes I suggest using Lecture Notes.
And of course, everything looks and works great on this tablet.
Can I get adobe flash player to work on the note?
pc9460 said:
Can I get adobe flash player to work on the note?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Just enable unknown sources in settings then download & install apk from the internet browser.
Also to answer your original question, this is a great tablet for students. I take it to all my lectures. I used to use a laptop, but the battery couldn't get me through one lecture. This tablet gets 10 hours of screen on time doing anything except gaming.
I wish a tablet like the note 10.1 existed back when I was in college. Well yet again, I was a broke a$s guy back then and I don't know if I could have afforded it.. But to answer the question, yep, S Note (an app that comes by default on the tablet) will be your friend. It can take notes, record your notes, take a pic and insert it on your notes, insert and solve formulas, diagrams, etc, etc, and so forth and so forth...
I have flash player installed on mines. It was still available on the Play Store when I installed it. I don't know if the Play store still allows you to install. I know for sure it's not allowing me to install it on my Note 2 phone.
I am a college student and s note is perfect and being able to add pictures/diagrams to your notes is very convenient
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
I'll second the recommendation of lecture notes. I could never get long well with snote for some reason. I use the tab for note taking at school and work. It is great. hopefully they come out with it's big brother in a year or so so i can upgrade.
You wouldn't believe how many times people sitting beside me have been like "whoa that's so cool, what tablet is that?"
How smooth is the note for running big pdfs? I'm talking 1000+ pages since they're textbooks.
pc9460 said:
How smooth is the note for running big pdfs? I'm talking 1000+ pages since they're textbooks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My motorcycle shop manual is 1200 pages and I have no issues surfing thru it on eZPDF (paid app from the play store)
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
pc9460 said:
How smooth is the note for running big pdfs? I'm talking 1000+ pages since they're textbooks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do that and It all runs fine
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
I'm a graduate student, and I've been using it to take notes mostly. It's basically the ultimate tool for me, allowing me to read, write, and everything in between without adding to my bag's weight. I have viewed up PDFs up to about 500 pages mostly (not a lot of physics reference books go up past 500 pages as far as I can tell). My notes are finally something I can refer to, since they're not scattered in fifty billion places (I wasn't the most organized student..).
In any case, I can see that people have given you recommendations already, and I'll add my praise to LectureNotes, Edroid Reader, and Adobe Reader.
Sample notes: https://www.dropbox.com/s/x1rbyi3jrzsn4bb/Quantum Mechanics.pdf
I do all of my homework on my tablet and send it electronically to my professors. I was worried that they would not be on board, but I actually received compliments from all of them. I also take all of my notes on the tablet. Shape tools and different colors make diagramming and organizing big messy equations much easier than on paper.
CON:
On tests I feel handicapped with a pen/pencil and paper. No copy/paste my own handwriting?!?! Erasing leaves marks?!? You've gotta be kidding me.
asdfuogh said:
I'm a graduate student, and I've been using it to take notes mostly. It's basically the ultimate tool for me, allowing me to read, write, and everything in between without adding to my bag's weight. I have viewed up PDFs up to about 500 pages mostly (not a lot of physics reference books go up past 500 pages as far as I can tell). My notes are finally something I can refer to, since they're not scattered in fifty billion places (I wasn't the most organized student..).
In any case, I can see that people have given you recommendations already, and I'll add my praise to LectureNotes, Edroid Reader, and Adobe Reader.
Sample notes: https://www.dropbox.com/s/x1rbyi3jrzsn4bb/Quantum Mechanics.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice notes.
What program do you use to anmotate pdfs?
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app
I bought and used the Note for all of last semester. I haven't used it to view PDFs much but I did use it to take down notes during lectures. It's quite good for that but it is compromised because it does not feel like writing on paper. My handwriting is quite bad on it but I adjust a little bit and it gets better (still not perfect). This is compounded by the fact that Samsung quality control is kind of ****ty and my pen leaves little tails at the end of strokes so the writing looks even worse (search, someone else had this issue as well). I ordered the standalone larger pen for it from South Korea (because Samsung CAN NOT or REFUSES to get its **** together regarding accessories unlike Apple) and it does not leave tails, or they're less pronounced. Problem is, the nibs on this pen are super slippery. Anyway, like all Samsung devices everything is a compromise so don't get your hopes up too high.
At the end of the day, it's the only tablet in this category at this price range so I wouldn't have anything else for school. No more multiple notebooks, Evernote syncing, LectureNotes (great app), no more multiple colored pens. Try it out.

1st Post Introduction. (1 month GN 10.1 user)

Hello everyone!
・ Relatively long time member, first time poster.... Just wanna introduce myself as a 1st month Note 10.1 user. I am an entertainment lawyer. As such, does a lot (& i mean lots) of freedom notes in meetings & such. Just retired my 7 year old HP TC1100 once I started using the Note. I'm a digital inker & live on LectureNotes & SNotes all the time. Am also a long-time Palm user, as such Graffiti for Android is my full time HWR 'keyboard'. I fly on Graffiti.
・ Lastly, for annotation on digital ink, Adobe Reader on Android & PDF Annotator on Windows are my friends.
・ Just sharing how I utilizes this excellent device. I believe if you write/ink freehand, Wacom & active digitizer cannot be beat & the Galaxy Note 10.1 is an excellent platform if this your workflow.
・ Comments are always welcome. Cheers everyone.
Me my self a new note 10.1 user after i sold my note 1, i cant tell how pleased i,m with all the new features and stability of note 10.1!!
Sent from my GT-N8000 using xda premium
I can't even begins to express how delighted I am with the 10.1. Been looking for years for a modern device to replace my trusty Palm TX & Tablet PC. This is it. For pure digital inking noteslate, Note 10.1 fits my requirements perfectly.
Tried going the E-Ink route with Wacom on the Entourage Edge. Loved the concept, but so slooow!
Anyone else on this board using the Note solely for a pen & paper replacement? Like an A4/Legal notepad? Would love to hear your thoughts on going paperless & digital inking usage scenarios. I've been paperless for the last decade.
Um, my main purpose for the Note is a pen & paper replacement, but I do use it for browsing Reddit while pooping quite frequently. I also will use it to watch Netflix (since my desktop uses Linux and Netflix won't work on it without too much hassle). I mostly use it for taking notes in class (grad student) and it works great for that. I used to kind of just fling my notebooks around so I'd have a bunch of notes that I'd never really read over, but since I have synced my notes online, I can always access them to read at any time. It's pretty awesome.
I work in IT and my Note 10.1 has become liek a 3dd arm. All it needs is an ethernet port and it would be perfect. I use my for remote sessions, nowte taking during meetings, and so on. It gets used for hours every day.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
I went paperless quite a few years ago and was using a Dell Latitude XT with OneNote. Had been looking for some time on a better solution. Purchased a Latitude XT3 just 6 months before the note launched. Now it is Note 10.1 and LectureNotes. It was hard to leave OneNote, but I have felt better about it lately. Can always export to pdf for import into OneNote if I ever need to go back. As an account executive, I take notes all day long and need to go back and refrrence them often in the future. Paper notebooks were just a waste for me. Carry my note everywhere now.
Couldn't be happier with this unit and I just bought a MacBook Air recently to do some of the heavier stuff, but this is still my favorite device.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
AndroidAble said:
I went paperless quite a few years ago and was using a Dell Latitude XT with OneNote. Had been looking for some time on a better solution. Purchased a Latitude XT3 just 6 months before the note launched. Now it is Note 10.1 and LectureNotes. It was hard to leave OneNote, but I have felt better about it lately. Can always export to pdf for import into OneNote if I ever need to go back. As an account executive, I take notes all day long and need to go back and refrrence them often in the future. Paper notebooks were just a waste for me. Carry my note everywhere now.
Couldn't be happier with this unit and I just bought a MacBook Air recently to do some of the heavier stuff, but this is still my favorite device.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You & I, fella. Replaced your Mac with a Lenovo U150 in my place. OneNote 'insert' function is a lifesaver. Thanks for sharing your workflow.
djasli said:
Hello everyone!
・ Relatively long time member, first time poster.... Just wanna introduce myself as a 1st month Note 10.1 user. I am an entertainment lawyer. As such, does a lot (& i mean lots) of freedom notes in meetings & such. Just retired my 7 year old HP TC1100 once I started using the Note. I'm a digital inker & live on LectureNotes & SNotes all the time. Am also a long-time Palm user, as such Graffiti for Android is my full time HWR 'keyboard'. I fly on Graffiti.
・ Lastly, for annotation on digital ink, Adobe Reader on Android & PDF Annotator on Windows are my friends.
・ Just sharing how I utilizes this excellent device. I believe if you write/ink freehand, Wacom & active digitizer cannot be beat & the Galaxy Note 10.1 is an excellent platform if this your workflow.
・ Comments are always welcome. Cheers everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, I also still have my HP TC100 running win 7. Got it on ebay about 3 years ago. HP was way ahead of its time with this.
I am interested in finding the best pdf view editor and PowerPoint presenter. I have reported on the latter on the forum and trying to work with companies to make the software more useful. Not much movement so far.
For PDF I am experimenting with Adobe, RepliGo Reader, exPDF, OfficeSuite, Polaris and QuickOffice ProHd.
I do not have a report yet but two issues for me are fast rendering of each page (including large files) and inking. For inking, Adobe, RepliGo Reader, exPDF, and QuickOffice ProHd work ok. Adobe is the most basic and the others have choices such as width of line and insert of arrows etc.
dave
dtl said:
Ha, I also still have my HP TC100 running win 7. Got it on ebay about 3 years ago. HP was way ahead of its time with this.
I am interested in finding the best pdf view editor and PowerPoint presenter. I have reported on the latter on the forum and trying to work with companies to make the software more useful. Not much movement so far.
For PDF I am experimenting with Adobe, RepliGo Reader, exPDF, OfficeSuite, Polaris and QuickOffice ProHd.
I do not have a report yet but two issues for me are fast rendering of each page (including large files) and inking. For inking, Adobe, RepliGo Reader, exPDF, and QuickOffice ProHd work ok. Adobe is the most basic and the others have choices such as width of line and insert of arrows etc.
dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dave,
The TC1100 is/was way ahead of its time. I agree. It is/was a joy to use though mine is still running on stock HP XP Pro SP3.
On the Note, Adore Reader is good enough for me: inking, strikethru, underlined etc. Polaris supports AllShare Cast for PowerPoint, so I bring along the Cast dongle to conference rooms as needed. It is small enough to stash in my briefcase. Having said that, I do missed presenting with full-on TPC with full Office suit like I did on the TC1100.
I find the Note snappy enough for my usage, even on huge PDFs. No issues so far. I load my own PDF templates for notetaking, whiteboarding etc.
One thing that tonk the TC1100 is the Note's battery life. Thin, light, all-day battery life & instant on is why I go for the Note. Of course, Wacom is Note's great advantage over other Android tablets. I can't stress that enough for users like us.
I absolutely agree, i'm on IT and always looking for a good solution to keep my life paperless because meetings note taking and archiving is really important for me. I've tried windows solutions like HP Slate 500 but it's lack of power and awful n-trig digitizer made me to look for android alternatives. I've using note 10.1 for 6 months and is absolutely amazing..
I'm really missing One Note but LectureNotes and using svn repositories for notes sync (OASVN pro client) it's a good and private alternative. I'm using ezPDF and OfficeSuite pro for standard format documents editing.
I would really like to combine my laptop (Sony Z2 for development activities) and note taking device in a single device but still doesn't exists in the market. Sony Vaio Duo 11 is a first approach but still missing important features for my laptop replacement.
cugel said:
I absolutely agree, i'm on IT and always looking for a good solution to keep my life paperless because meetings note taking and archiving is really important for me. I've tried windows solutions like HP Slate 500 but it's lack of power and awful n-trig digitizer made me to look for android alternatives. I've using note 10.1 for 6 months and is absolutely amazing..
I'm really missing One Note but LectureNotes and using svn repositories for notes sync (OASVN pro client) it's a good and private alternative. I'm using ezPDF and OfficeSuite pro for standard format documents editing.
I would really like to combine my laptop (Sony Z2 for development activities) and note taking device in a single device but still doesn't exists in the market. Sony Vaio Duo 11 is a first approach but still missing important features for my laptop replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the android side of things, there are some pretty good alternatives (especially if your company is on Google Apps) for note taking and archiving. There's Drive + Docs + Quickoffice for times when you need more complex documents, or evernote for times when you need plain text and files and everything attached in one place. You can also set up some pretty neat automations with a service called ifttt.com which will connect to lots of different accounts and shoot things around according to your instructions (for example: If I'm tagged on facebook, the picture is downloaded to a folder in my Drive account).
-Keri
I agree with this options, i'm using several of them for personal documents and notes but for corporate documentation and meeting notes sometimes is difficult (or directly forbidden) to use this kind of "cloud" infrastructure.
^^
I quite agree. Not in corporate environment, at least in my case. For me, that MicroSD slot is a lifesaver. Do the work I need to do out-of-office; at back to office, attach Note to USB and access data on PC. Also OTG USB to thumbdrive. Works for me. No "cloud" involved. The only cloud service I use is Email.
djasli said:
^^
I quite agree. Not in corporate environment, at least in my case. For me, that MicroSD slot is a lifesaver. Do the work I need to do out-of-office; at back to office, attach Note to USB and access data on PC. Also OTG USB to thumbdrive. Works for me. No "cloud" involved. The only cloud service I use is Email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah!
I'm fortunate to work in an environment where cloud computing is not frowned upon (it's actively encouraged), so that tends to be the first thing I think about.
djasli said:
Dave,
The TC1100 is/was way ahead of its time. I agree. It is/was a joy to use though mine is still running on stock HP XP Pro SP3.
On the Note, Adore Reader is good enough for me: inking, strikethru, underlined etc. Polaris supports AllShare Cast for PowerPoint, so I bring along the Cast dongle to conference rooms as needed. It is small enough to stash in my briefcase. Having said that, I do missed presenting with full-on TPC with full Office suit like I did on the TC1100.
I find the Note snappy enough for my usage, even on huge PDFs. No issues so far. I load my own PDF templates for notetaking, whiteboarding etc.
One thing that tonk the TC1100 is the Note's battery life. Thin, light, all-day battery life & instant on is why I go for the Note. Of course, Wacom is Note's great advantage over other Android tablets. I can't stress that enough for users like us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually polaris does not work correctly with AllShare.
Here is a portion of my review.
"I am on a quest(s) to find the best pdf reader, best PowerPoint presenter etc. I teach at a university and use powerpoint for lectures. I also give ppt lectures to professional groups, other universities, etc. What I am looking for is the best ppt presentation software and the ability to do the presentation remotely. I also do (with my win 7 lenovo tablet) portrait presentations, in which I have configured the table to simulate an overhead system where I can write on in "edit the ppt view" while the systems projects this to the class. So this is the back ground. I see great potential for the Note in many ways, but right now I am disappointed. What I hoping is that I can learn from you about this goal. Below I compare software that I have. I also compare with the Note hooked directly to the projector (hdmi or hdmi-vga) and with the allshare cast dongle. (*hdmi means hdmi or hdmi to vga, both direct to tv or projector). This results were a surprise and part of my current disappointment,
3. Polaris (Ireviewed a few others)
Fairly good for fonts, does not maintain proper style for text (e.g., maintains column width) can edit
Picture effects like reflection does not work
Animation works
No 3d shapes do not work
Fonts generally ok
Color off for text and shapes, but better than office suite pro.
Does not import lines and arrow correctly
Annotation works
Black background used to fill in rest of screen
Good display resolution.
Short time to load big files.
Does not work similarly with both direct hdmi* to tv/projector and the allshare cast dongle.
There are three display choices, primary monitor, duel monitor, controller and note. The first two work the same, bottom bar not hidden. The controller and not setting hides the bottom bar and gives the biggest projected picture (seems to be the biggest and best of all the I have tried). Works great with direct. With the allshare dongle, the first slide is fine. When the second slide comes up, the first slide does not disappear and for the second slide it only show in about ¾ of the screen in the upper left so you do not see the full slide. The rest of the screen is the first slide. This stays the same for the rest of the slides.
Does not work in profile."
First of all, is this not your expereince?
Second, I have been trying ot work with Polaris to see what is going on. Have had some success with email exchanges. They said that if the verion of Polaris is 4.0.5002.30 version, then it should work. I told them my version number is 4.05002.80, which is higher and it does not work correctly. They asked on Sunday (March 10) for a screenshot of the verison number. I sent that but have not heard back. ( i have emailed them and resent the screenshot, but no emails so far.
dave
Dave,
The version on mine is 4.0 5002.62-Fj03 & it works beautifully. Well for my usage. Set up the Cast, load ppt, hit slideshow & I'm set for drawing, annotate etc. Granted my usage is basic, with no Powerpoint slide creation at all (That's done by my PA back at office). Maybe you need more. A Windows TPC with Office suite works better for you maybe? As far as I can figure, there's no Office-compatible apps for Android. At least not yet.
djasli said:
Dave,
The version on mine is 4.0 5002.62-Fj03 & it works beautifully. Well for my usage. Set up the Cast, load ppt, hit slideshow & I'm set for drawing, annotate etc. Granted my usage is basic, with no Powerpoint slide creation at all (That's done by my PA back at office). Maybe you need more. A Windows TPC with Office suite works better for you maybe? As far as I can figure, there's no Office-compatible apps for Android. At least not yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting that you have a different version and it is a lower number. When did you get your note. I wish I could see more of how this works for you.
But some questions
1. do you get the choice of how to do the slide show? The three choices I mention in my post.
2 Also I just want to make clear that when you project, that the bottom bar hides dn the only think you see on the screen is the ptt presentation.
I would like to take this information to Polaris and to Samsung
As for windows computers with ppt for presentations, yes I use these, but to be able to use the Note with Allshare opens up many possibilities and I wan to work to making it so. It is interesting that if you were to take all of the good features from the other android ppt programs ( I think I reviewed 4 or 5) and combine them, you would almost have a windows ppt like experience.
Thanks!
dave
dtl said:
Interesting that you have a different version and it is a lower number. When did you get your note. I wish I could see more of how this works for you.
- I got mine on 26th Feb this year. N8020 with Jelly Bean already installed out the box.
But some questions
1. do you get the choice of how to do the slide show? The three choices I mention in my post.
- Alas, no. I do not get any of those choices. Just straight up mirroring.
2 Also I just want to make clear that when you project, that the bottom bar hides dn the only think you see on the screen is the ptt presentation.
I would like to take this information to Polaris and to Samsung
- Nope. Wish it does, but no.
As for windows computers with ppt for presentations, yes I use these, but to be able to use the Note with Allshare opens up many possibilities and I wan to work to making it so. It is interesting that if you were to take all of the good features from the other android ppt programs ( I think I reviewed 4 or 5) and combine them, you would almost have a windows ppt like experience.
Thanks!
- Yeah. Fully agree. Will be grand if it can do full Office presentation. Hopefully that day will come soon.
dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still new on this board to insert attachments.
djasli said:
I'm still new on this board to insert attachments.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well this is what I thought might be the case. Was hopeful. Interesting that you got yours after mine and with Jelly Bean, but an older version of Polaris. Got mine months ago with ICS.
So I think that Polaris knew of a problem and then produced the next version (with the three display choices) to solve it. One of those choices as I pointed out hides the bar and only displays the ppt. But it does not work and Polaris now has not responded for almost a week. So that could mean 1) they are working on it, or 2) they do not care and are ignoring it. I hope #1.
A problem is that we cannot update Polaris from PlayStore if they do upgrade the software. It is all up to Samsung and thus complex. So my hopes are rather dim at this point and a response from Polaris would be encouraging..
dave
Your comments got me thinking. So while at work today, I did a test:
・ RDP to my office pc and AllShare Cast the Note to the projected. Walla! Full Office ppt with all the trappings. Bit laggy connection but not discernable much.
・ The Note's Airview mode helps. Perhaps you can try this too.
・ Next up, I'm gonna try setup my own personal network and try the experiment at one of my client's conference room, who happens to be my college buddy.
Hmmm, this is getting interesting. Thanks for making this tired old brain working again.....

Note 10.1 vs Win8 tablets with pen for studying

I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
I admit I haven't put a lot of time into the Win8 devices, but my general impression is that they are very slick, well made, but massively overpriced and terribly lacking on the software side.
Rather than giving a direct comparison, what you could see is if there is anything that the 10.1 can't do that you'd need. By my counting, there isn't. Annotating and marking up PDFs? No problem. All the cloud syncing and printing you could ask for? Got it. Fantastic organization by way of LectureNotes? Mmhm. The screen is sharp, the pen works just dandy, and there's scads of apps for you to create, edit, organize, and make use of all of your PDFs.
I can't say with certainty how good a win8 tab would be, but I can say that the the 10.1 2014 would do everything you could possibly ask of it.
{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have either but I've used a Windows 7 tablet and last year's Note 10.1 and the big difference for me was that while both had Wacom, Android is just way more usable via touch than Windows. Windows 8 is more touch friendly to be sure but the software ecosystem just isn't there yet (in terms of touch friendly apps). Like the above poster said, there really isn't much you can't do on a Note 10.1. The one wildcard is Onenote, it's seriously the best thing Microsoft has ever made and there really isn't anything equivalent on Android, but I can live without it really. It would be cool if android note taking apps had the functionality of Onenote but in terms of just using it like an advanced paper notebook they're totally usable. It'd be cool to be able to search through notes and stuff (some app may allow this, but I haven't found one yet) but it's still much easier to find things in a digital notebook than a physical one.
{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a fellow mechanical engieer working and going to grad school, this is how it has been working for me.
I use ezPDF and see note. You can take snapshots of pdfs with ezpdf and paste them into s note.
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app
{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
In this excellent review (see link below) of the Note 10.1 the reviewer mentions "better going for the 2014 Note 10.1" for people who make notes. Professional artists are better of on a Windows device because of the much larger software base. She reviewed both the 2014 Note 10.1 and the popular Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 (linked in article).
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tablets/2014-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10.htm
The_Maverick said:
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used it personally but OneNote is available for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.onenote
The_Maverick said:
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
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Honestly, if you guys can afford or get over dropping 1K on a tablet than the surface pro is the way to go.
Don't get you mind set on "apps." as an engineer, being able to run and execute programs relevant to your fields is more important.
For me, I won't be able to run Catia V5, Solid works, MATLAB, C++, EES, etc on a android tablet. If I didn't drop 1K earlier on my laptop I probably would have got a surface pro 2 so that I wouldn't have to carry so much.
But the note 10.1 has served me well. I got it because I already had a laptop that was cad ready, the note also charges over USB and was at a good price.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app
My main requirement for a tablet is the ability to highlight PDF’s and add sticky notes/annotations for studying; the ability to write notes and have it be as close to a paper/pen experience as possible; and the ability to watch movies and shows in HD while on flights, etc.
If I was sure that the Surface Pro 2 could do all of those things better than the Note 10.1, I’d spend the money. But I’m not sure it can. After struggling for years using a fat stylus on the iPad, the S-Pen on the Note 10.1 seems perfect.
Is the Surface Pro 2 better at these things than the Note 10.1?
Han Solo 1 said:
My main requirement for a tablet is the ability to highlight PDF’s and add sticky notes/annotations for studying; the ability to write notes and have it be as close to a paper/pen experience as possible; and the ability to watch movies and shows in HD while on flights, etc.
If I was sure that the Surface Pro 2 could do all of those things better than the Note 10.1, I’d spend the money. But I’m not sure it can. After struggling for years using a fat stylus on the iPad, the S-Pen on the Note 10.1 seems perfect.
Is the Surface Pro 2 better at these things than the Note 10.1?
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I don't have the Surface Pro 2, but those things you mention (movie playback and taking notes, with LectureNotes) are precisely 2 strongpoints of the 2014 Note 10.1. Furthermore it will be a lot lighter in weight, cost far less and drain far less battery. I would recommend it in a heartbeat for those items you mention.
Edit: I highly doubt the Surface Pro giving you a better movie watching experience. I would put money on it...
As someone that owned last years Note 10.1 and owns both the current 10.1 and Surface Pro - I would much rather ink on the Note 10.1.
I really like One Note. Unfortunately, it seems to me like Microsoft doesn't feel the same. I feel like they could/should take One Note and turn it into an Evernote competitor. I see a lot of potential in the software, but no love.
For work, a couple months back, I was trying to take notes on the go while working with a 3rd party vendor using my Surface Pro. I am probably in the minority of people that actually like Windows 8. For me though, on the go, holding the Note 10.1 in one hand and trying to ink vs the Surface Pro is night and day. The Surface Pro is just far too heavy. But it fills that void when I need something extremely portable that will run full blown Photoshop, Quark, etc.
stinger108 said:
I have never used it personally but OneNote is available for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.onenote
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I've never used it myself either. I might check it out once I get my Note. But the fact that it hasn't been mentioned in all the LectureNotes conversations on here tells me that it might not actually be comparable. Does any one know whether OneNote on Android supports the SPen?
SlimJ87D said:
Honestly, if you guys can afford or get over dropping 1K on a tablet than the surface pro is the way to go.
Don't get you mind set on "apps." as an engineer, being able to run and execute programs relevant to your fields is more important.
For me, I won't be able to run Catia V5, Solid works, MATLAB, C++, EES, etc on a android tablet. If I didn't drop 1K earlier on my laptop I probably would have got a surface pro 2 so that I wouldn't have to carry so much.
But the note 10.1 has served me well. I got it because I already had a laptop that was cad ready, the note also charges over USB and was at a good price.
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Click to collapse
The price is also prohipive, you're right, I didn't even consider that.
I was in the same situation as you were. I bought a X1 Carbon a year ago, which I use for MATLAB and the like. Had good options been available then, I might have gone with a hybrid. Although for that I'd go with one that has a transformer like dock, such as the Lenovo ThinPad Tablet 2. But I like that my laptop is 14". Only 10" or 11" would be too small for me.
Ettepetje said:
In this excellent review (see link below) of the Note 10.1 the reviewer mentions "better going for the 2014 Note 10.1" for people who make notes. Professional artists are better of on a Windows device because of the much larger software base. She reviewed both the 2014 Note 10.1 and the popular Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 (linked in article).
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tablets/2014-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-10.htm
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Well "a much larger software base" means Pro and not RT and the Pro tablets are certainly a bit bulkier and heavier than the Note due to the hardware and battery to keep the thing running. I am also not sure how battery life compares between say the Surface Pro vs the new Note.
wingdo said:
Well "a much larger software base" means Pro and not RT and the Pro tablets are certainly a bit bulkier and heavier than the Note due to the hardware and battery to keep the thing running. I am also not sure how battery life compares between say the Surface Pro vs the new Note.
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The Verge tested both tablets and rated battery life the same. They rated performance of the Note much lower, which for movie watching and drawing / taking notes it most certainly isn't. The 2014 Note 10.1 can playback 2 full-HD movies (of 5+GB) simultaneously without hickup of any kind. I used MX Player Pro for that, with NeoN-driver, together with the built-in video player of the Note in pop-up mode. The beautiful screen together with the decent stereo speakers is managing to keep me away from gearing up my high-end home theater system for 2 major movie titles in a row (Monster University and Despicable Me 2).
To return to the matter of speed, the Note is the fastest ARM based tablet currently available, but will in all likelihood be slower than the processor in the Surface Pro 2. Reading about fans kicking in during heavy use though has me running away from any such option.
{Diemex} said:
I'm looking for a tablet to assist me in my mechanical engineering studies. I have a laptop and a Galaxy Tab 7.7. The laptop is too big and I havent found any good apps to edit pdfs on linux and the 7.7 is too small.
We get all scripts as pdf and some of them have gaps that we fill in the lecture. Atm I print the scripts on paper. I'm thinking of getting a tablet to organize the huge influx of information and reduce the amount of stuff I have to print out and keep in "real" folders.
So there are a few options:
Note 2014, LectureNotes for organizing, ezpdf/repligo for editing of pdfs
Windows 8 Tablets like surface pro, lenovo tablet 2 or sony tap 11. I'm not familiar with the metro app ecosystem and don't know if there are great apps like LectureNotes or ezpdf. The most expensive option.
Continue to print on paper. Cheapest, but not editable, searchable or reusable etc.
I have seen a few students with Note 10.1's and only one with a microsoft surface. The Note owners seemed to be happy with their way of doing things. Though I haven't spoken to the guy with the surface, it seemed like he only used it for viewing pdfs.
I'm particularly interested in the comparison between windows tablets and the galaxy note for note taking, pdf notes and general usefulness for studying.
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Here again I will share with the op my notes I just took.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app
One thing i did on my note was take screenshots in excel (kingsoft office) then put them into my s notes and annotate on top of it. Its not as good as annotating directly in excel but it works ok.
I went to my local computer store and spend about 45 mins writing on the Note 2014 and also had a look at the surface pro 2. My handwriting looked comparable to the screenshots posted, not as nice as on paper with a pencil, but far better than anticipated.
A lecturer actually uses OneNote on a lenovo laptop with a stylus. It works really well and I like that you can easily add blank space in between lines if you run out of space. Sadly the surface in the store didn't have internet so I couldn't have a look at the metro apps store and there wasn't much apps to play around with. The surface feels a bit like a laptop with a small touchscreen and a detachable keyboard to me.
The surface has optional pen input but still is not focused on making the most out of the pen. Samsung's app package on the Note on the other hand is designed to maximize on the stylus. I need a tablet mainly for reading and taking notes and for anything more demanding I have a powerful laptop.
So I will most likely get the Note. Still pondering if I should spend 500€ on wifi only or 650€ on the lte version, which I think doubt I will really make use of on a 10 inch tablet.
{Diemex} said:
So I will most likely get the Note. Still pondering if I should spend 500€ on wifi only or 650€ on the lte version, which I think doubt I will really make use of on a 10 inch tablet.
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If you are able to tether using your phone's data, save your money and get the wifi model. That's what I did. All I have to do is hit a button on my phone and I have fast internet access on my Note 10.1.
Han Solo 1 said:
If you are able to tether using your phone's data, save your money and get the wifi model. That's what I did. All I have to do is hit a button on my phone and I have fast internet access on my Note 10.1.
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+1
The_Maverick said:
I am currently/was wondering the same thing. I'm an engineering student and I want to use a tablet for note taking and reading/annotating papers. I considered a Surface pro or a lenovo win tablet with a pen. Mostly because of OneNote. While I haven't used it, I'm sure it is the most mature note taking app there is. I don't know how touch friendly it is (i.e. I don't know if OneNote has a Metro-mode), but if it's like the other office apps, I wouldn't want to use it without a mouse.
The biggest problem with Windows tablets, like it has already been said, is the lack of apps. My brother just bought a Windows tablet (the HP Envy x2 or something), which has full windows, a keyboard dock and no pen. He has a metro app to look at pdfs and hilight them (I think it's almost literally the only pdf app in the app store that supports some level of editing) but he can't write on them (with the keyboard).
You can always say you'll use the full-windows apps, not metro, of which there are plenty, but I just can't imagine that being fun to use with your fingers.
Besides note taking, I also want to use my tablet recreationally. Some browsing, RSS reading, gaming etc. For that, android is just better, hands down.
In terms of sycing, I thought maybe a win tablet might be easier to mangage, but as it turns out, android is probably easier. I can sync files with my Windows laptop via SugarSync and stuff like RSS feeds, podcasts and all that is easier to sync accross android devices.
I have now ordered the Note and am awaiting it anxiously. (it's not available yet where I live)
I hope that helps your decision process along, let me know to what conclusion you come.
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Click to collapse
There is a metro onenote but not as good as the full office version, which as a student the op should get for decent price.
Have been using tablet pc s of various makes since 1997 and in the op case would say either the note 10.1 2014 or a s/hand x220t lenovo, last one with the great keyboard, either should be similiar money the x220t maybe a bit more.
Or why not consider the first note 10.1 maybe afford both that way?
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda app-developers app

Note Taking Setup

I've had the tablet for about a week and half now, and I absolutely love it. Since I've purchased the tablet, it's become a central part of note taking and studying for me. I just wanted to share how I use my tablet to study and I wanted to hear how everyone else else used their tablets for note taking so I could improve my setup.
So I use Evernote as the main app for note taking. I love its multiplatform sync ability. Whatever notes I take on my tablet will show up on my phone AND PC so I have access to my notes at all times. I also love that evernote has so many extensions (voice recording, document scanner, handwriting, etc). So this is the center of my note taking/ studying process.
I use the Logitech Keyboard for android tablets. I love it. Personally I think its well built and portable. Much better quality than those cheap keyboards that come with the cases. It's a little inconvenient to carry cause its essentially a separate device to carry around, but totally worth it for for the near laptop typing experience. I actually find that I don't use the stylus all that much. I'm an engineer so I thought I would absolutely be using the stylus but I find that its much easier to either type it out, copy paste the diagram I needed to draw from the professor's powerpoint (if they provide it before lecture), or just take a picture. What I do find really useful is using the stylus to edit pictures that I've taken. For instance, I was working on a prosthetic hand and needed to write down measurements. I just drew the measurements out on a picture I took of the hand! It was convenient and intuitive.
I use ANKI, a crossplatform flash card program/app that has latex capabilites. That means I can make flashcards with pictures, equations, chemical formulas, etc. I also love its formulic approach to flash cards so that it controls the amount of time that the card stays at the bottom of the deck so that you learn the concept long term instead of just cramming it into short term memory. What really makes this work is the combination of ANKI and evernote. I'll take the synced notes from evernote on my PC, and copy paste them into ANKI on my computer. Then tada! Flashcards are now synced to my phone, tablet, and PC with pictures, formulas, and questions with very little hassle.
So thats basically my note taking/ study setup. For those of you that use your tablet for taking notes or studying, how do you do it?
Thanks, I look forward to hearing your methods.
Mateyo64 said:
I've had the tablet for about a week and half now, and I absolutely love it. Since I've purchased the tablet, it's become a central part of note taking and studying for me. I just wanted to share how I use my tablet to study and I wanted to hear how everyone else else used their tablets for note taking so I could improve my setup.
So I use Evernote as the main app for note taking. I love its multiplatform sync ability. Whatever notes I take on my tablet will show up on my phone AND PC so I have access to my notes at all times. I also love that evernote has so many extensions (voice recording, document scanner, handwriting, etc). So this is the center of my note taking/ studying process.
I use the Logitech Keyboard for android tablets. I love it. Personally I think its well built and portable. Much better quality than those cheap keyboards that come with the cases. It's a little inconvenient to carry cause its essentially a separate device to carry around, but totally worth it for for the near laptop typing experience. I actually find that I don't use the stylus all that much. I'm an engineer so I thought I would absolutely be using the stylus but I find that its much easier to either type it out, copy paste the diagram I needed to draw from the professor's powerpoint (if they provide it before lecture), or just take a picture. What I do find really useful is using the stylus to edit pictures that I've taken. For instance, I was working on a prosthetic hand and needed to write down measurements. I just drew the measurements out on a picture I took of the hand! It was convenient and intuitive.
I use ANKI, a crossplatform flash card program/app that has latex capabilites. That means I can make flashcards with pictures, equations, chemical formulas, etc. I also love its formulic approach to flash cards so that it controls the amount of time that the card stays at the bottom of the deck so that you learn the concept long term instead of just cramming it into short term memory. What really makes this work is the combination of ANKI and evernote. I'll take the synced notes from evernote on my PC, and copy paste them into ANKI on my computer. Then tada! Flashcards are now synced to my phone, tablet, and PC with pictures, formulas, and questions with very little hassle.
So thats basically my note taking/ study setup. For those of you that use your tablet for taking notes or studying, how do you do it?
Thanks, I look forward to hearing your methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your mini-review! That what I was looking for, a simple tablet for note taking. Can you try Lecture Notes, I use that on my galaxy note, but want to know how it performs on this one.
I wan to read lots of pdfs and docs, how reading on it?
I found the included Write program to be extremely simple and efficient once you learn it. I loved it so much that when I got my hands on a Galaxy Note 2, I immediately installed it and have almost never used SNote... I also don't really use my TN7 nearly as much now, either, although it's still a badass gaming tablet, so I still use it for that. If you haven't been sold on Write, try looking into the features more deeply... their description of it as "a word processor for handwriting" it pretty spot-on, and I'd be lost without it. The only feature it lacks is syncing, but now that I have a GNote 2 instead of a regular phone and my TN7, I don't really need that feature as I'm no longer carrying two devices around with me.
ultra99 said:
Thanks for your mini-review! That what I was looking for, a simple tablet for note taking. Can you try Lecture Notes, I use that on my galaxy note, but want to know how it performs on this one.
I wan to read lots of pdfs and docs, how reading on it?
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Reading on this tablet is great. I use "docstogo" for regular documents and pdfs. And I use "Moon Reader" for comics.
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
6stringandy said:
Reading on this tablet is great. I use "docstogo" for regular documents and pdfs. And I use "Moon Reader" for comics.
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
I have a few minor beefs with the write app but overall it has worked well for me. There were a few things I emailed the developer about and gave me a few tips that helped.
One beef was that it wouldn't respond to my fingers when I was trying to scroll around or zoom. That seems better in the last update though. The other thing is when you add an image to the document. When it is inserted and highlighted, it is very hard to grab the corner to shrink/enlarge the picture. Most times it de-selects the picture and I have to re-select it with the box tool, then when I try to resize it again, many times de-selecting it again.
My last "beef" is the size of the tablet. If it was a 10" or larger, it would be much better to write on. I have to zoom way in to write legibly, which means after writing a word or two, I have to scroll over to write more.

Do we need a better note taking app?

I am a student and use a note 10.1 and a note pro 12.2 for note taking. I use both tablets on a daily basis for several hours during class and at home. For note taking I mainly use LectureNotes and for pdf viewing I use the only good pdf viewer ebookdroid. I don't use any paper whatsoever.
I am getting increasingly frustrated with my setup, I have the feeling that it is holding me back and my workflow is not fluid/natural. I am mainly getting frustrated with LectureNotes and switching back and forth between lecturenotes for editing and ebookdroid for plain reading.
While LectureNotes is a great app, there are a few things that are really frustrating:
Pdfs get dumbed down into pictures/bitmaps: Loss of searchability, export of pdfs is images only, loss of table of contents, links and everything that makes pdf cool
Pdf import takes long because it has to render everything into images, import is not in background, i have to sit there and do nothing until its finished
Huge memory consumption. I have even increased my max memory per app to 768mb per app to avoid crashes.
Everything is in images
Large memory consumption
I write in portrait, if I rotate the device it gets pixelated
If I get a tablet with a different/higher resolution my previous notes are going to look bad
Menus are text only, takes long to find something. Ln has so many features, but I dont really want to bother to find them in all the menus
UI is in general slow and sluggish
notebook overview is slow
inserting a page can take a while
cant have multiple documents open in tabs (app would run out of memory anyways ...)
opening and closing of documents isn't instant
Ebookdroid is the perfect pdf viewer for me, it has tabs, lots of customization and is very fast. It just cant annotate pdfs.
Basically I am looking for a note taking app with the following feature set:
Simply fast and responsive
Based on vector graphics which will scale to any resolution
Instant pdf import and merging of notes taken in the application back into the pdf
Read only pdf viewing, so I dont have to switch to a pdf viewer just for viewing of pdfs
Navigating a document of several hundred pages should be easy and intuitive
Decent table of contents
quick/responsive overview with thumbnails
Multi device synchronous editing of documents. I don't want to have to wait 10 minutes for dropsync to synchronize my notes. (Specific to me)
Simple way to view documents on pc. Some tasks like creation of a table of contents, reording of pages and things that are quicker and easier with a mouse and keyboard can be done on a desktop client.
Can have multiple documents open at the same time
App in general should be user friendly and fun to use.
I have programmed in java and android before. I'm considering spending my holiday on writing a notetaking app. Atm I'm still evaluating the libraries, file formats, if I can pull it off, the time I will roughly need and if it's worth my time at all. The app will ofc be open source.
Is there any interest in a better note taking application or is it just me?
I don't believe there is an all in one solution that will do all you that you require in a single app.
But some basic suggestions.
I think Papyrus offers a lot of what your asking in the Note taking department, it's fast, vector based and has PDF import, I prefer 'Write' which is similar, but doesn't support .pdf. Perhaps you could send a message to some of the developers asking for some improvements, or features as they are often quite responsive.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.steadfastinnovation.android.projectpapyrus
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.styluslabs.write
You could also run two apps like Papyrus for notes and Ebookdroid or EzPDF for annotation in multiwindow mode as a workaround.
In terms of developing.
The new Android 'L' release apparently now has included a native PDF API function, so more apps will soon add PDF support I would imagine.
"New api class: PdfRenderer
This class enables rendering a PDF document. This class is not thread safe.
If you want to render a PDF, you create a renderer and for every page you want to render, you open the page, render it, and close the page. After you are done with rendering, you close the renderer. After the renderer is closed it should not be used anymore. Note that the pages are rendered one by one, i.e. you can have only a single page opened at any given time."
If you are serious about developing your own solution, perhaps check out the development of the open source Omni Notes, the code is already available, it's a simple but has a lot of potential the betas already have sketch mode implemented for notetaking with Spen, they could likely do with some other developer support for advanced functionality. Perhaps check with the dev in the Omni Notes thread.
Omni Notes:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...tmctr=(not provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=38510752
Good Luck.
I think Papyrus would handle things like you want it!
It has PDF Import with noteability and Vektor based Drawing
But what I'm Missing are the Drawing features of LectureNotes like Diagrams, Arrows and so on... they are very basic in Papyrus!
Would be awesome if you decide to work on such a program!
I'm also a student who uses his Note 10.1 for notetaking!
If you want a tester, it would be cool if I can help you!
My Java is very basic, so in programming i wouldn't be a huge help. But studiyng the source code would be fun^^
Greets
Terrorhuhn
I have interest in a better note taking app!
I'm with you 100%. I use ezpdf but it isn't great. There is something wrong with every note taking app that makes it annoying.
Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk
I'm all for a good note taking app and I'd pay good money for it. Papyrus is my go to app, but it has its flaws....main gripes being no easy way to navigate large PDF files and no stylus button support on Samsung ROMs
Terrorhuhn said:
what I'm Missing are the Drawing features of LectureNotes like Diagrams, Arrows and so on... they are very basic in Papyrus!
Would be awesome if you decide to work on such a program!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently I use also papyrus. But yes, I miss many other features, specially easy page navigation.
I am really interested with your idea!
I've been using the note 10.1 series for the past 1,5 years to study with and my conclusion while I was using the 2013 model has been that the only apps that were noteworthy were S-note and papyrus and lecturenotes.
On the 2014 model I eventually got bored of S-note and decided to look around:
-Papyrus's graphics were better then S-note on the 2013 model however with the 2014 model the graphics do not scale appropriately and well...it now looks pretty ugly.
-LectureNotes has the res. scaling, but not the beauty associated with the writing experience- although I've heard it provides nice functionality.
-Tried around 2 to 6 apps for writing, all with sucky writing experiences and expected functionality.
-INKredible: I recently stumbled across it (an iOS app port) in the playstore, it has the best writing experience that I've ever come across on android.
It has amazing graphics (vector based I assume) so you actually enjoy writing on a piece of glass. The app is free ,but provides in app purchases. You get the fountain pen for free.
The app itself is pretty barren when it comes to functionality (there are some bugs and you don't even get individual notebooks), but as the dev has stated they will include most of the missing functionality with their upcoming updates (they are focusing and the core necessities first). This app made me enjoy taking notes that much that I prep'd all of my exams on it in the past month (I manually managed my notebooks).
For me the common denominator for having a great note taking experience when I was still using my iPad was the writing experience, it didnt matter for me if an app was missing x,y,z functionality as long as I was stimulated to write more in the app for the sake of writing (cos of the awesome xp). INKredible seems to be very promising in that regard and with the promise of more functionality it'll put the current selection of available writing apps to shame. So support the dev's for more sweet development!
Regarding workflow:
I know its not on everyone's prioritylist/mind, but rooting will unlock the full potential of any device and this is no exception on the note 2014. Though you probably already know that.
The apps that i love, dont necessarily support splitscreen, so I tell them to.
The addition of GMD gestures, xposed modules (app settings, s-pen only, multiwindow plus, wanam) provide an overall enhancement of my workflow.
Coupled with Xluco's kernel Touchwiz feels more functional and it gives you the general impression that your device can keep up with your multitasking demands.
I've just finished finished with my exams so I thought I'd share my bottled-up experiences with this device, hence my long story
I hope some of my input helped you.
Also does anyone have little bubbles appearing underneath the glass (near the edges of the screen)?
I tried out Inkredible, looks promising, not sure how long it will take to become stable/usable.
I guess everyone has very different requirements for a notetaking application. For me management of notebooks is important. Atm I already have 200 notebooks only from 2 semesters. If an app doesn't provide an ability to create folders I have a big problem. Also usually I need multiple documents to be open at the same time. When I practice for exams I need my formularies, the exam and my notes. So I have the exam on my laptop, the formularies on the 10.1 and write on the 12.2. Dunno if anyone has used linux and is used to the concept of workspaces. That is something that I would like to see. I open up my "electronics exams" and have all my pdfs and notes in one place. Changing workspaces should change the opened documents on all my devices. I have 3 tablets and a laptop, I would like to be able to use them in conjunction with the least hassle. Most people will have a tablet and at least a phone and laptop. So some kind of advanced multi device support would be pretty cool. Im babbling a bit, I have tons of ideas, that would be really cool.
What is also important to me is that that the file format that the notetaking app uses should be a format that I can open on my pc and modify with other programs. If I would to write an app I would probably use svg as a format for drawings. There are many tools to edit svgs and they can be viewed in a browser.
I need an app that is not just a notetaking app, I need an app that helps me work with lots of documents. I need to read, edit, take notes and understand the topics. I have noticed especially the past semester that writing on tablets has actually held me back. I didn't really want to read through the notes I took. A real book is still a lot easier and quicker to navigate than notes I have taken on my tab.
{Diemex} said:
I tried out Inkredible, looks promising, not sure how long it will take to become stable/usable.
I guess everyone has very different requirements for a notetaking application. For me management of notebooks is important. Atm I already have 200 notebooks only from 2 semesters. If an app doesn't provide an ability to create folders I have a big problem. Also usually I need multiple documents to be open at the same time. When I practice for exams I need my formularies, the exam and my notes. So I have the exam on my laptop, the formularies on the 10.1 and write on the 12.2. Dunno if anyone has used linux and is used to the concept of workspaces. That is something that I would like to see. I open up my "electronics exams" and have all my pdfs and notes in one place. Changing workspaces should change the opened documents on all my devices. I have 3 tablets and a laptop, I would like to be able to use them in conjunction with the least hassle. Most people will have a tablet and at least a phone and laptop. So some kind of advanced multi device support would be pretty cool. Im babbling a bit, I have tons of ideas, that would be really cool.
What is also important to me is that that the file format that the notetaking app uses should be a format that I can open on my pc and modify with other programs. If I would to write an app I would probably use svg as a format for drawings. There are many tools to edit svgs and they can be viewed in a browser.
I need an app that is not just a notetaking app, I need an app that helps me work with lots of documents. I need to read, edit, take notes and understand the topics. I have noticed especially the past semester that writing on tablets has actually held me back. I didn't really want to read through the notes I took. A real book is still a lot easier and quicker to navigate than notes I have taken on my tab.
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3 screens at a time for prep'ing? In my eyes that seams like overkill, for my last semester I just combined Wolfram ,Mathlab, Dolphin, 2xeBook readers(one for the problems and one for my theory/solutions) and INKredible/s-Note on my note 2014 via 3 way splitscreen and it worked like a charm. The bottom half for notes, the upper 2 halfs for for the rest, when I need to (fully)use one of the upper half apps I can just minimize one to make room for the other or swap apps within a 1/3 screen. Heck I even split youtube for the occasional online crashcourse.
This setup has proven very productive and I'd only use my laptop to convert word documents containing formulas too an android friendly pdf format.
If the multi-windowplus xPosed module had been updated to fully work on Kitkat I would've been able to have an additional layer of functionally through popup/floating windows.
I guess my only negative for working this way was that I had the occasional stiff neck once in a while, I'd then just relocate too my bed to resume my number crunching.
11 hours, that was my last screen-on-time running this setup, that's just...well..damn impressive:victory:.
I can imagine that you need all that functionality within one note app, but to be honest I think that's asking for to much for the Android platform. We'd need a pretty big dev team to be able to cram all that goodness in one smooth and hiccup free package...which I don't see happening anytime soon (iPad's note apps are draining to many of the dev's attention I guess).
@Vasishtha I'm not someone that uses multiwindow, the screen is already so damn small. I don't have a single textbook or sheet of paper, so I need at least two screens, otherwise I go crazy because of the limited space.
As you seemed to have used notetaking apps on the iPad, how do they compare to the Android ones? How do they even deal with the lack of a stylus? I couldn't imagine writing with a clunky stylus that covers up what I write and is unprecise. I have tried capacitive styluses a few years back and the writing experience was poor.
Seriously, why can't Notability be on Android as well. That was my go to on iOS.
Sent from my Note 3 via the Interwebs.
Don't you guys like Evernote?
{Diemex} said:
@Vasishtha I'm not someone that uses multiwindow, the screen is already so damn small. I don't have a single textbook or sheet of paper, so I need at least two screens, otherwise I go crazy because of the limited space.
As you seemed to have used notetaking apps on the iPad, how do they compare to the Android ones? How do they even deal with the lack of a stylus? I couldn't imagine writing with a clunky stylus that covers up what I write and is unprecise. I have tried capacitive styluses a few years back and the writing experience was poor.
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The screen resolution right now is high enough to make 4 way splitscreen a viable option for productivity purposes. Also the screen size for me is the perfect size, not to big for taking notes and not to small for reading. I also rely on no paper, even my graph-calc has been replaced.
Well the top 2-4 iOS apps are functionality wise on par with android apps (take for example : s-note vs notesplus/notability), but of course are more optimized.
1 app ,I believe, has a desktop variant for viewing/editing your notes.
However in the note taking experience department those top iOS apps blows away any android competition by large margins (not comparing styli here). And this has stayed the same since I switched over to android (bout 2 years ago) ,so imagine the margins now.
Writing with a cap stylus was surprisingly easy via an app's provided zoombox ,though it doesn't compare to the s-pen (later I was using the jot pro, but it wasn't perfect either).
This is why I know the iOS app port of notes plus (named INKredible on android) will achieve its full potential. And when it does, it'll put all the other apps to shame.
@dbeth Notes plus is already on android in the form of INKredible, the devs are hard at work in finalizing it and adding features to it. Stay tuned and support the devs in the meantime.
-Edit: My mistake, I thought you meant notes plus. Notability was also my favorite note taking app, but notes plus had it going on aswell
@lanwarrior Evernote's writing experience reminds me of s-note's ,stale and boring . There's no 'feel' to it.
But it does provide some nice functionality.
@Vasishtha
I'm trying to understand what sets an ipad notetaking apps apart from the android equivalents. To me the ipad ones just look like 'another' note taking app. Obviously there has to be a difference. What do you mean with 'feel'? Feel of the app in overall, responsiveness of the UI, responsiveness of the writing or just the feel of the scribblings as such, how they look after applying all the filters. What would an android app have to do differently to 'feel' good?
{Diemex} said:
@Vasishtha
I'm trying to understand what sets an ipad notetaking apps apart from the android equivalents. To me the ipad ones just look like 'another' note taking app. Obviously there has to be a difference. What do you mean with 'feel'? Feel of the app in overall, responsiveness of the UI, responsiveness of the writing or just the feel of the scribblings as such, how they look after applying all the filters. What would an android app have to do differently to 'feel' good?
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Well basically the result of beautiful vector graphics (with maybe some pressure sensitivity) in combination with an accurate natural flow of digital ink, in which you're under the impression of the experience and are almost not able to distinct the interaction between the pen and the ink drawn as a result of your precise hand movements from the real deal. The reduction of friction between the pentip and the glass surface also brings about an unique experience ,which the note 2014 offers, over writing on normal paper.
To me that feel is the foundation on which any note apps should be build on. And this is exactly what all android apps are missing (except inkredible).
Functions come and go, but you cannot replace/supplement the beauty of writing by cramming in more functionality.
We have not noted any recent upsets of Inkcredible.
Via my Note 3
I'm using Stylus Write for my business notes. very fast and quick to start taking notes. It also has linux client to open its files. Not as fancy as others but doew the job.
There is also Note Anywhere. Try it as well. All use vector graphics.
I tried Lecture Notes but seems slow to open and start a new note, and to save documents. T also uses bitmap graphics if I remember right.
---------- Post added at 05:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 PM ----------
Btw I don't use Snote as it will mean locking into Samsung Firmware.
Vasishtha said:
@lanwarrior Evernote's writing experience reminds me of s-note's ,stale and boring . There's no 'feel' to it.
But it does provide some nice functionality.
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I agree that Evernote is a little bit "bland" on the handwriting feature, but I like the ability to sync it throughout all my devices - Note 3, Note 10.1 and Macs.
I also use Evernote heavily for many stuff: clipping website, taking picture, checklist, etc. So I have one solution for everything.
One thing I do WISH Evernote have is the ability to put handwriting in the text area. Right now the handwriting is in its own area separate than the text, even in the same note.
While writing an exam today I noticed how boxed in I feel when writing on a tablet. There is just a sense of freedom when writing on paper. I have a whole table of space to work with, I can make stacks of paper sheets, I have a stack with questions I have answered and a stack for questions I still have to look at. I make use of the whole table. When using a tablet I have to dedicate some brainpower just for using the tablet. I have to think if I want to annotate a document or just read it. Depending on that Ill use a different app. Because I have multiple devices they dont all have the same documents on them. So I take notes on the one tablet and then they havent synced to the other device yet. Taking notes in class doesnt feel natural. Im not going to go back to paper, because having digital notes has more advantages. It should be fixable with better apps, currently Im thinking about it. But lets be honest 10.1/12.2 inches is not really much screen space to work with. One would need some pretty awesome app to make one feel like one has more space...

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